Criticisms of Society and Goals: Isabella Baumfree, also known as Sojourner Truth, was an abolitionist and women's rights activist. This was due to the harsh treatment of her master forced her to abandoned the one she loved and marry one of his preexisting slaves. Additionally, he refused to emancipate her after promising and reportedly abused her. After converting to Christianity during her time with the Van Wagenens, she met Elijah Pierson who established “The Kingdom”, a religious haven. There she was increasingly filled with the feelings of equality and spiritual fervor. She began preaching strongly for increased women’s rights and the abolition of slavery. After Elijah died, the group disbanded and Isabella was accused of poisoning Elijah however was soon acquitted. After losing all her possessions and savings, she began her life as a traveling preacher and one June 1st, 1843, officially changed her name to Sojourner. Throughout this time, she hoped to push the abolitionist movement towards success and promote women’s rights relying on the kindness of others to house her. Still hoping for the Utopian atmosphere “The Kingdom” provided, she joined the Northampton Association of Education and Industry in Massachusetts.This group of about 210 members were mainly self-sufficient operating their own silk factory. This group was strongly anti-slavery, religiously tolerant, women’s rights supporters, and pacifists. While at this community, she collaborated with fellow abolitionists like William Garrison, Fredrick Douglas, and David Ruggles. However, in 1846 the community was forced to disband due to debt. She left the group and moved in with one of the founders, George Benson. There she created The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave in 1840 which gave her income and increased her popularity, thus increased her speaking arrangements. Throughout these years, she constantly spoke of anti-slavery and women’s rights, citing her own experiences of horror in the South. In 1851, she spoke at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio. There she gave her most famous speech with the famous line “and ain’t I a Women?”. This speech stated that while American Culture often put white women on a pedestal giving them certain privileges, black women received no such ideals. This was due to the fact that slaves were grouped as black men, women were grouped as white women, and black women were not included in either. This speech and phrase were now used as a staple for women’s rights movements and echoed across the country.
Methods Used to Achieve these Goals: Sojourner often joined Utopian communities in order to find a safe haven from the harsh reality and changed the country from within the walls. Additionally, she traveled as a preacher stating of the need for the emancipation of all slaves and increased women's rights, especially black women. Lastly, she wrote moving sermons and speeches about her feelings. Most notably, she spoke at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention orating her most popular work referred to as “and ain’t i a woman?”.
Success: Despite original hardships after her master came after her and demanded her back, she was freed by the Wagenens. Through them, she learned the positives of Christian faith. Her preaching was relatively on a small scale, as she traveled from house to house. But when she did talk, it was moving and the audience was captured. Therefore, who she did reach with her words were in agreement and could be considered a success. Also, when she spoke at Ohio with her speech “and ain’t i a women”, the messaged reached across the nation. This was her biggest success, in which as stated before the message was carried and used in future women’s rights movements. But, both communities she joined failed out of bankruptcy and therefore can not be considered a success. They were unable to produced a profit and disbanded. Although she reached many people while living there, ultimately they failed and Sojourner was forced to move on.
Practicality: The way in which Sojourner preached in her earlier methods was not practical. Instead of focusing as a rallying point, she moved from location to location having to rely on the kindness of others. By doing this, she was unable to reach as many people. If the people can to her, more would attend and would be more willing to spread the world. By focusing on individuals, it took longer time to reach the same amount of supporters. Additionally, instead of forming a collaborative movement, it scattered the agreeing people therefore, they were less likely to unite and support the cause. However, by speaking at the Ohio conference and writing an autobiography, the articles in the newspaper about her speaking received widespread attention and her book was published to people across the nation.
Federal Government Aid: The federal government could have advanced the movement by forcing state citizens to abide by emancipation laws, and giving a fine if found guilty of not doing so. However, if they proclaimed a federal abolition of slavery, sectionalism would cause the union to split, separating the states. Therefore, by allowing states to create them on their own accord and forcing slave owners to abide by them is a better solution. Additionally, the government could encourage state legislation to be made by offering a bonus or compensation for owners in states that followed suit. This would give them more of an incentive to do so and free their slaves. But, obviously slavery cannot be solved without harsh feelings so whatever the solution is, it will be complex and multi-faceted.
References: William Garrison/ Fredrick Douglas- Sojourner was connected to these two individuals because when she moved to “The Kingdom”, a Utopian type community, them and many other fellow abolitionists were present. During her time there, they became close acquaintances and worked together on informing others of the wrongs of slavery. Throughout Sojourner’s existence at this community, her and these two people were fellow abolitionists, pacifists, and tolerant of other religions. Not only did they collaborate on work, they expanded Sojourner’s knowledge of the christian faith and contributed to her rapidly growing sense of pride of her fellow African Americans, thus leading her to support the abolitionist movement even more radically.
Methods Used to Achieve these Goals: Sojourner often joined Utopian communities in order to find a safe haven from the harsh reality and changed the country from within the walls. Additionally, she traveled as a preacher stating of the need for the emancipation of all slaves and increased women's rights, especially black women. Lastly, she wrote moving sermons and speeches about her feelings. Most notably, she spoke at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention orating her most popular work referred to as “and ain’t i a woman?”.
Success: Despite original hardships after her master came after her and demanded her back, she was freed by the Wagenens. Through them, she learned the positives of Christian faith. Her preaching was relatively on a small scale, as she traveled from house to house. But when she did talk, it was moving and the audience was captured. Therefore, who she did reach with her words were in agreement and could be considered a success. Also, when she spoke at Ohio with her speech “and ain’t i a women”, the messaged reached across the nation. This was her biggest success, in which as stated before the message was carried and used in future women’s rights movements. But, both communities she joined failed out of bankruptcy and therefore can not be considered a success. They were unable to produced a profit and disbanded. Although she reached many people while living there, ultimately they failed and Sojourner was forced to move on.
Practicality: The way in which Sojourner preached in her earlier methods was not practical. Instead of focusing as a rallying point, she moved from location to location having to rely on the kindness of others. By doing this, she was unable to reach as many people. If the people can to her, more would attend and would be more willing to spread the world. By focusing on individuals, it took longer time to reach the same amount of supporters. Additionally, instead of forming a collaborative movement, it scattered the agreeing people therefore, they were less likely to unite and support the cause. However, by speaking at the Ohio conference and writing an autobiography, the articles in the newspaper about her speaking received widespread attention and her book was published to people across the nation.
Federal Government Aid: The federal government could have advanced the movement by forcing state citizens to abide by emancipation laws, and giving a fine if found guilty of not doing so. However, if they proclaimed a federal abolition of slavery, sectionalism would cause the union to split, separating the states. Therefore, by allowing states to create them on their own accord and forcing slave owners to abide by them is a better solution. Additionally, the government could encourage state legislation to be made by offering a bonus or compensation for owners in states that followed suit. This would give them more of an incentive to do so and free their slaves. But, obviously slavery cannot be solved without harsh feelings so whatever the solution is, it will be complex and multi-faceted.
References: William Garrison/ Fredrick Douglas- Sojourner was connected to these two individuals because when she moved to “The Kingdom”, a Utopian type community, them and many other fellow abolitionists were present. During her time there, they became close acquaintances and worked together on informing others of the wrongs of slavery. Throughout Sojourner’s existence at this community, her and these two people were fellow abolitionists, pacifists, and tolerant of other religions. Not only did they collaborate on work, they expanded Sojourner’s knowledge of the christian faith and contributed to her rapidly growing sense of pride of her fellow African Americans, thus leading her to support the abolitionist movement even more radically.
Works Cited
Ashley, Martin L. "Sojourner's Amazing Life... And Beyond." Sojourner Truth.org Home Page. Web. 04 Oct. 2011. <http://www.sojournertruth.org/History/Biography/Default.htm.>
"Sojourner Truth Biography." Women In History. Lakewood Public Library, 4 Oct. 2011. Web. 04 Oct. 2011. <http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/trut-soj.htm.>
Truth, Sojourner. ""Aint I A Woman"" Speech. Ohio Women's Convention. Ohio, Akron. 29 May 1851. Ain't I A Woman? Wikipedia, 21 Sept. 2011. Web. 4 Oct. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ain't_I_a_Woman%3F.>